Regency style

Regency style in English architecture, flourished during the regency and reign of George IV (1811-30) and was chiefly represented by the court architect John Nash . The period is characterized by the diversity of the architectural styles of many countries and periods. For the prince regent, John Nash constructed at Brighton the Royal Pavilion (1815-22) in the Indian style; it included exotic furnishings. The preponderant trend, however, was neoclassical, as seen in the works of Sir John Soane and George Dance II and in the rigid geometric order of Nash's design for Regent's Park in London. During this time stucco was often used on the exterior of buildings, and bay windows and balconies were in vogue. Furniture design was eclectic and showed the influence of Greek, Roman, Gothic, Egyptian, and Asian ornament.

Bibliography: See P. Reilly, An Introduction to Regency Architecture (1948); J. Harris, Regency Furniture Designs (1961); C. Musgrave, Regency Furniture (1961).

Regency style Style of art and architecture fashionable when the future George IV was Prince Regent (1811–20) and during his reign. A period of great variety, it generally denotes designs that are extremely elegant and refined.